as in feebleness
the state or period of mental decline that typically accompanies old age with his increasing senility, Granddad is beginning to have more and more senior moments

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of senility Retired veteran Stacy Keach is drifting into senility, as well as frequent flashbacks to his Korean War service, while concerned librarian spouse June Squibb tries to keep him present in the here-and-now. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 Just as large majorities of the electorate were exposed to Biden’s onrushing senility, so will they be exposed to Harris’s numerous weaknesses. John Tamny, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024 The mood changed in the late 1950s, however, when U.S. officials in South Korea increasingly took note of Rhee’s apparent senility. Joshua Byun, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024 These two cases also underscore how foreign suspicions of senility can have significant ramifications for foreign policy. Joshua Byun, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for senility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for senility
dotage
Noun
  • In our dotage, many of us look askance at our motor vehicle and opt to head for Staters in the ubiquitous golf cart.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
  • But in his dotage, the transition may have come early as younger, more progressive staffers tied to Democrats who likely could not have won the 2020 presidential election operated with limited supervision.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Senility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/senility. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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